'Venomics' or: The venomous systems genome project

摘要

The objective of this editorial is to inform the members of the International Society on Toxinology (IST) of developments and progress on an ambitious program that aims to characterize the unique genes and gene products of venomous animals. The project consists in charting the genomes of a few selected animals and, in parallel, in analyzing their peptide and protein venoms and the mRNAs that encode these in venomous glands. The project has been discussed on several occasions by the nearly 500 IST members, particularly during recent IST meetings. A few IST members have embarked on an initiative to set up a worldwide consortium for this program. Aims and objectives have been discussed, major worldwide genome centers have been visited and ideas have been exchanged with experts in the relevant fields. This editorial focuses on the present status and the short- and long-term scientific, strategic and economic issues that will emerge from the program.